Chapter 60

This was a day I loved my PA. We had gone back to the police station as he did some research into finding clues on the ace. He switches in the light over the faded playing card and I ask, 'So what do you think?'

'To tell you the truth I'm no detective, but something feels off about this playing card.'

'What do you mean?'

'Well its not there to antagonize us, or terrify us, but to show us their work. Don't get me wrong its annoying to know there is more than one of these, but the fact is I feel like this might be the key to the whole thing.'

I frown as I stare at my PA as he continues, 'It feels like everything is too convenient recently.'

'Hold on, convenient? It has been a complete disaster trying to get the name of the leader of this group.'

'No I get that, but there is more than just finding the leader of this group. It feels like you've lost sight of the bigger picture over all, boss. You always told me to look three steps ahead and think things through. Well I've been doing a lot of thinking these past two weeks. If these playing cards have been at each place, it tells us they expect you to find it.'

'So they have already anticipated our arrival?' I ask, somewhat stunned.

'Yes and no. Yes they have expected you to find it, but no that you are finding little clues they left behind. You told me about the blood on the cards which led to Professor Fullerman. They hadn't expected that and thus he had to be eliminated.'

'So we are making progress?'

'Again yes and no. They see that you have found things they didn't expect you to. So for instance the tunnels. If my judgement is right, they didn't expect that and I'm sure they are going to do something about it.'

'And the no part of it?'

Slowly he looks up at me over the lowered lamp, flipping the magnifying glasses up, 'I feel like you are being led like a lamb to slaughter.'

We stare at each other, the silence in the darkened room lingering. This conversation was going similar to what Nick, Ki, and I had in the plane on our way to Tokyo. I always wanted input so I ask, 'How do I think three steps ahead?'

'You told me that these Night Hunter dudes like Ki are looking into the names you and Nick researched?'

'Yes.'

'And they have also found out that one of those mines you talked about is being stolen from?'

I nod and he continues, 'And you said those tunnels will be investigated?'

'Yes.'

'So you are stretching this Phantasma thin. They have to keep low numbers in order to go undetected and with those numbers they are going to be busy trying to cover up their dealings. While that is happening we can find out what these cards really mean, get the name of the leader, and smoke out their base.'

'Jerry have I ever mentioned you are a genius?'

'You could stand to say it more often,' he says with a massive grin.

'So what do you mean by these being a key?' I ask, pointing to the card.

'Well it has been tested through all different means, I'm guessing, blood sampling, card stock, ink, yada yada yada.'

'Yes, the stock and ink are both manufactured by the company that makes them. The only thing is the blood.'

'Ok, so that leaves questions of a possible hidden message locked in the card.'

'How will you figure that out?'

'I'll do some research in this lab and on my phone. Google might help me figure it out. But until then, I want to really take my time and look at any change in the ridges on the card.'

So with that we both scour the card for anything that might be minut. We worked tirelessly, that was until Jerry started yawning.

'Ok Jerry, time to call it a day. How long since you last slept?'

'Probably last evening, its only 1pm now.'

'Sleep for you, come on.'

He groans and moans out in a teenage boys nasaled voice, 'Yes mom!'

I smack him upside the head as we walk out of the station and he winces saying, 'Ouch, easy there Mother Theresa you'll give me whiplash.'

I let out a laugh and say softly, 'Jerry, thank you for this.'

'No problem boss.'

'No, for your words earlier. I hope your right about me not changing.'

Jerry sticks out his chest, raises his chin and replies, 'Of course I'm right, I'm always right.'

This almost made me go into a giggle fit but I hold it in as we come to the house. I say my goodbyes and crawl into the window of my room.

--D--

The older officer says, 'All our data entries are right, no change. So I'm sorry detective, there are no records of a town called Mart.'

I look down at the woman, she was overweight from many years likely sitting at this desk. Her hair was silvering and laugh lines covered her face as I ask, 'I know a majority of the records are digital, but do they still file a paper copy here in the records room?'

'You are welcomed to look ma'am, but don't expect to find anything.'

I nod, taking the key from her and step into the caged files room. Nick was outside, having gotten an important call and told me to go ahead. It had been a good twenty minutes, so I knew something had happened.

But I sweep that from my mind as I walk down the lines of shelves filled with boxes of dated cases. While Officer Bale had been scrolling quickly through the list I had noticed at least twelve cases without names on them and I knew instantly what they were. The files may have been removed from the computer, but the boxes of actual paper files may still remain. I come to one and pull it down from the shelf. Opening it, I'm greeted by missing persons files from Mart. They looked like copies of those from Mart as well as notes taken by detectives here in the sheriff's department.

'Bingo,' I whisper.

Suddenly my phone rings, startling me and I quickly grab for it before Officer Bale reminds me that phones aren't allowed on in the records room. Smashing the answer button I hiss, 'What is it Jerry?! Bad timing!'

'Sorry boss but I think I might have found something.'

My whole body stills like a stone statue and I ask, 'What?'

'That's the thing. I'm not sure, its some kind of symbol I haven't ever seen before. It only came up under UVA light, which is weird. but anyhow I've tried to sketch it out and I'm about to head to the library. So I'll see you when you get back.'

'Jerry!'

'Yeah boss?'

'Call me if you find anything, even if we aren't back yet.'

'10-4.'

Ending the call, I continue my perusal through the boxes, sliding those I wanted out slightly. Before I knew it four hours have passed and I quickly put the file back and walk towards the front where Officer Bale saying, 'I need to check this file box out as well as seven others.'

She frowns and asks, 'Those are all cold cases, no point. Some are up to forty years old. Are you sure about that dear?'

So the Silent Phantasma had even gotten to her and I nod. She sighs and allows me to sign them out. Walking outside, I see Nick pacing, still on the phone. His face was just as placid as a lake, but I could tell something major had happened. Coming up to him, he puts up a finger for me to wait, and finally murmurs goodbye in what sounded like Gaylic. He looks at me and I ask, 'So what's happened?'

'Nothing that concerns you clanless.'

So it was important and I say softly, 'If it has anything to do with the Silent Phantasma, it has something to do with me.'

He sighs irritably, looking around, he points to a donut shop down the street and says, 'Let's talk there.'

So we do, sitting down and ordering coffee. Several of those in the room were off duty cops and we looked just like them. Both in working jeans, me in a pale blue button down and jacket and Nick in a white button down, gray tye, and gray jacket. The cops give us little mind as I stir in some sugar and I ask, 'So what is the news?'

'I have to go to Kotowa in a week.'

I sober, staring at him as he continues, staring right at me, 'There is an convening of the five clans. It seems that things are getting serious enough that it is time for us to meet.'

'How often is there a meeting of the Five Royal Clans?'

'It usually happens once a year, but it seems things have changed and we need to speak in person.'

'Its in a week?'

'Yes.'

'Then we don't have much time. We have to find the name of the leader of the Silent Phantasma.'

'You don't understand, its more than that.'

So I still, staring at him as he lets out a long breath. It was as if he was deciding something that wasn't something he would enjoy. But just as his mouth opens my phone goes off. I look down and see its Jerry.

'Hey Jerry what's up?'

The nervous voice on the other end made my smile fade as he says, 'Nina, I... I think I've found out what that symbol means.'

'Alright, what's going on Jerry.'

'Shush, listen I think I know who this person is you are looking for.'

'Why all the mystery Jerry?' I ask, my heart suddenly picking up speed as I realize something must be wrong.

Slowly I slide out of the booth and stand as he says in a very even tone, 'I can't tell you right now, you have to get back quickly, and Nina?'

'Yes?'

'I think something's wrong with...' but before he can finish his sentence I hear a commotion.

'Jerry... Jerry!' I yell into the phone, hearing a clattering and scuffle, then the line goes dead.

My head whips around to Nick who was looking up at me with a frown. Suddenly my pheremones unleash with the smell of murderous rage. Nick starts to slide out of the booth saying with an edge in his voice, 'Nina, what's going on?'

Before he can even finish the sentence, I am bolting from the restaurant, down the street, and up to an officer who was just about to get in his police SUV. I had never moved this fast in all my years, but I knew fear was propelling me for my dear friend. My heart was cold as ice.

'My name is Detective Eva Rossi, I need your squad car now!'

The officer turns to look at me with nervous eyes asking sarcastically, 'What? Why?'

'For God's sakes, I don't have time for this!!' I scream at the top of my lungs, my fury unleashing on him as he slams to the floor glamoured into a possible coma. My power was surging through me like a bolt of lightning, unchecked, and I didn't care.

I pick the officer up and throw him out of the way - at least a good ten feet - slip into the SUV, start it up, and peel out. The tires screamed as I slide out of the police lot, sirens howling as I flicked on the red and blues. Nick was running down the street, his head swiveling back and forth looking at me. As I pass, I see his eyes cut to me in the police car speeding past him, but I don't even stop for him. Every second now counted as I blew through a red light, sending drivers honking in surprise.

Putting it in second gear, I slam down on the accelerator, never caring less about the species of mankind. My heart screaming with fear for my one human friend left alive in this world that meant anything to me.